Home Help: Fireplace safety

Weekly home help with items on fireplace safety, how to hire a painter, a money-saving tip and more.

Staff reports

One of the joys of winter is curling up in front of a warm fireplace. Proper fireplace use and maintenance, along with a commitment to safety, will keep the enjoyment from turning into tragedy.

"Before building your first fire of the season, inspect the fireplace and the chimney for cracks, creosote buildup and other potential blockages. Bird or animal guards need to be in place on top of the chimney," advises Duane Friend, University of Illinois Extension natural resources educator. "Another option is to have a professional chimney sweep check and clean the system."

It's also important to use wood that has been sufficiently dried. Ideally, the wood should be split and allowed to dry for a year before use. Dried wood burns with less smoke and burns more evenly than green wood. Do not use painted or pressure-treated wood or particle board. To reduce sparks coming into the living room area, place a screen in front of the fireplace.

"Make sure the damper is open before starting a fire, and keep it open even when there are just smoldering embers left in the fireplace," says Friend. "Never use flammable liquids to start the fire."

Keep flammable items like rugs and curtains away from the fireplace. Also, avoid roaring fires, which can start chimney fires from soot and creosote in the flue. Have a fire extinguisher, such as a class ABC extinguisher, close by. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should also be used and regularly checked.

A fireplace requires a large amount of air. In tight homes, Friend says to make sure there is enough fresh air available so that a reverse draft does not set up, which could bring carbon monoxide fumes from furnaces or water heaters into the house.

Make sure all ashes are thoroughly cool before disposal. Place ashes in a metal container with a lid, on a non-combustible floor or on the ground, away from potential ignition sources, until they are cool.

-- University of Illinois Extension

Decorating Tip: Cabinet doors get glassy

Does your kitchen space feel “closed-in” or two-dimensional? Create an open and modern feel by installing glass into the center of your cabinet doors. It’s much cheaper than buying new cabinets, and even just two doors of glass can transform the look and feel of your kitchen.

-- HGTV.com

Home-Selling Tip: Make it shine in winter

The barren looks of winter make it hard to keep a house looking great from the curb. To make your house pop, put a wreath on your door and buy a large “welcome” mat. Planters filled with evergreens on the front porch will last year-round. Remove fallen branches and shovel the snow off driveways and pathways. Also try a new mailbox and larger address numbers that catches one’s eye.

-- EnergizedSeller.com

How To: Hire a painter

Be home for an initial meeting and ask questions about the experience and size of the staff. Ask for an estimate –– a professional will need more time than just a quick walk-through to calculate one.

Clearly explain what you are looking for and what you don’t want. If you want prior paint peeled off first, explain so, and expect to pay more. If you can handle imperfections for a cheaper price, then let them know before a contract is signed.

Check both old and newer references and, if possible, inspect previous paint jobs. Ask references if problems arose and, if so, how they were solved.

Both parties should sign a complete contract with all significant and agree-upon information, and each party should have a copy. It is common to withhold 10-15 percent of the pay until you are satisfied with the work. Ask for a guarantee to correct any peeling or chipping within the first two years after service.

-- ConsumerReports.org

Did You Know …

Existing-home sales rose 12.3 percent in December, increasing for the fifth time in the past six months.

-- Realtor.org

Money-Saving Tip: To own or rent a car?

If you don’t have an everyday use for a car and you need one more for weekends or travel, create a spreadsheet to help you decide if renting or owning is the best economical choice. Just because you can sell a car after ownership, doesn’t make it the most profitable choice. Factor in insurance, permit, maintenance, registration and parking fees. Plus, add in the costs of fixing a car should something brake. Everyone’s situation is different, so find the answer that’s right for you.

-- SavingAdvice.com

Going Green: Wood pulp shoes

Wicked Footwear, a New Hampshire-based company, has introduced an "eco-fashionable" footwear line.

Wicked Hemp is cited as the first company to use wood pulp uppers mechanically compressed using non-toxic chemicals. The shoe colors utilize true eco-friendly paint and come in two styles, a slip-on and lace-up model.

This hybrid style has a multi-colored natural rubber outsole that is good for urban and light trail use. The shoe's look suggests hip living combining both comfort and designer styling.

GateHouse News Service

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